Proverbs 31
31
1The words of king Lamuel. The vision wherewith his mother instructed him.
2What, O my beloved, what, O the beloved of my womb, what, O the beloved of my vows?
3Give not thy substance to women, and thy riches to destroy kings.
4Give not to kings, O Lamuel, give not wine to kings: because there is no secret where drunkenness reigneth:
5And lest they drink and forget judgments, and pervert the cause of the children of the poor.
6Give strong drink to them that are sad: and wine to them that are grieved in mind:
7Let them drink, and forget their want, and remember their sorrow no more.
8Open thy mouth for the dumb, and for the causes of all the children that pass.
9Open thy mouth, decree that which is just, and do justice to the needy and poor.
10Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.
11The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.
12She will render him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.
14She is like the merchant's ship, she bringeth her bread from afar.
15And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens.
16She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.
17She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm.
18She hath tasted and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night.
19She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.
20She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor.
21She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow: for all her domestics are clothed with double garments.
22She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple is her covering.
23Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of the land.
24She made fine linen, and sold it, end delivered a girdle to the Chanaanite.
25Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day.
26She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.
27She hath looked well to the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle.
28Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her.
29Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.
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Proverbs 31: DRC1752
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An historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.
Proverbs 31
31
1The sayings of King Lemuel, a prophetic revelation, used by his mother to discipline him.
Advice to a Prince
2“What, my son?
What, son to whom I gave birth?
What, son of my prayers?
3Don’t give your strength to women
or your power to those who ruin kings.
4“It is not for kings, Lemuel.
It is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to crave liquor.
5Otherwise, they drink and forget what they have decreed
and change the standard of justice for all oppressed people.
6Give liquor to a person who is dying
and wine to one who feels resentful.
7Such a person drinks
and forgets his poverty
and does not remember his trouble anymore.
8“Speak out for the one who cannot speak,
for the rights of those who are doomed.
9Speak out,
judge fairly,
and defend the rights of oppressed and needy people.”
A Poem in Hebrew Alphabetical Order
10“Who can find a wife with a strong character?
She is worth far more than jewels.
11Her husband trusts her with ⌞all⌟ his heart,
and he does not lack anything good.
12She helps him and never harms him all the days of her life.
13“She seeks out wool and linen ⌞with care⌟
and works with willing hands.
14She is like merchant ships.
She brings her food from far away.
15She wakes up while it is still dark
and gives food to her family
and portions of food to her female slaves.
16“She picks out a field and buys it.
She plants a vineyard from the profits she has earned.
17She puts on strength like a belt
and goes to work with energy.
18She sees that she is making a good profit.
Her lamp burns late at night.
19“She puts her hands on the distaff,
and her fingers hold a spindle.
20She opens her hands to oppressed people
and stretches them out to needy people.
21She does not fear for her family when it snows
because her whole family
has a double layer of clothing.
22She makes quilts for herself.
Her clothes are ⌞made of⌟ linen and purple cloth.
23“Her husband is known at the city gates
when he sits with the leaders of the land.
24“She makes linen garments and sells them
and delivers belts to the merchants.
25She dresses with strength and nobility,
and she smiles at the future.
26“She speaks with wisdom,
and on her tongue there is tender instruction.
27She keeps a close eye on the conduct of her family,
and she does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children and her husband
stand up and bless her.
In addition, he sings her praises, by saying,
29‘Many women have done noble work,
but you have surpassed them all!’
30“Charm is deceptive, and beauty evaporates,
⌞but⌟ a woman who has the fear of the Lord should be praised.
31Reward her for what she has done,
and let her achievements praise her at the city gates.”
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